ElectroPrep - Introduction & Configurations

The ElectroPrepTM system is an extremely versatile
sample prep technology developed by Harvard/Amika. This patented, electrophoresis-based system is ideal for
the rapid purification of proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates and other biomolecules.

With a run-time of 5 to 10 minutes, ElectroPrep provides speed and convenience, even at the
very low currents (5 to 10 mA) used with this system. The sample chambers are made of
Teflon, a completely inert material especially suited for high sample recovery. Membranes of
different MWCO (molecular weight cut off), from 100 to 300,000 Daltons, can be used for
selective elution, filtration, dialysis, fractionation and concentration.

Applications

Electro-elution from gels and solutions

Electro-dialysis (with an average buffer exchange time of 5 to 10 minutes)

On-line electro-dialysis

Electro-concentration

Selective electro-filtration

Size fractionation

Primer removal

Salt removal

Detergent removal

Dye-Terminator removal

Advantages

Faster dialysis times due to movement of charged molecules in the electric field

Re-usable

Available for most sample sizes - large or small

Membranes available with MWCOs to suit almost any application

Easy to use

Leak proof

Autoclaveable

Low protein binding

High sample recovery

Made of Teflon - totally inert

ElectroPrep - Sample configurations

Electro-elution from a Gel slice

Using the ElectroPrep system in the illustrated configuration, elution
of DNA, proteins, or any other biomolecules from a gel slice/plug can
be achieved quickly and easily with excellent recovery. Chambers can
be joined in any combination necessary to accommodate the
required gel volume. Samples can be concentrated if desired, by
choosing a receiving chamber of suitable volume. The MWCO
(molecular weight cut off) of the membranes (a and b) can also be
chosen to achieve very selective filtration
or size fractionation during the electroelution process.

Electro-filtration based on Different Charges

In this configuration of the ElectroPrep, the sample is placed in a
sample compartment between two membranes (b), both of which
should have a MWCO larger than the desired biomolecules.
Membranes (a) and (c) should have MWCOs smaller than the biomolecules.
Based on their charges, the biomolecules will move to
either chamber (1) or chamber (2).
Biomolecules with unknown isoelectric
points can also be separated and purified
using this method.

Electro-dialysis through simultaneous exchange of buffers

A sample is placed in the sample compartment between membranes
(a) and (b), both of which have MWCOs lower than the molecular
weight of the desired biomolecules. The sample is dialyzed through the
simultaneous exchange of buffers in the electric field. This method is
very fast and very effective. For example, after a PCR reaction, it can be
used to rapidly (5 to 10 minutes) remove
100% of the primer. Electrodialysis is also
effective for desalting neutral molecules
that do not move in an electric field (such
as sugars) or charged molecules at their
isoelectric point.

Rapid & Selective Electro-Filtration/Concentration

The sample is placed in the sample compartment
comprised of a chamber (1)
and the union. The MWCO of membrane
(b) should be larger than the molecular
weight of the biomolecules and the
MWCO of membrane (a) should be smaller. Upon the passage of
electric current, the biomolecules will pass through membrane (b)
and collect in chamber (2) while smaller molecules will pass
through membrane (a). This is a fast and effective method for the
concentration of small samples and for selective filtration.